Paulina Naturaga is determined to support her husband, who has been the primary breadwinner for their family for the last twenty years. The woman from Naivaka, Nawakasiga in Bua was among 15 tenants of the Public Rental Board (PRB) from Simla, Lautoka, who recently completed a Certificate of Participation in Financial Literacy.
The three-day program was organized by the Ministry of Industry and Trade in partnership with the PRB. Naturaga, a mother of two, shared her ambitions, reflecting on her education up to Year 12 at Nadi SKM College. She briefly worked at a pizza restaurant before becoming a machinist at Ghimli Textiles, where she remained until the company’s closure in 2006.
With her husband working as an electrician, she aims to take on more responsibilities to assist him. She noted that the extensive training was aimed at empowering both aspiring entrepreneurs and existing business owners with critical skills for success in a competitive marketplace.
“This study has been very useful for me as it has enhanced my knowledge for my business aspirations,” stated Naturaga, who plans to explore ventures in skills-based industries such as fabric and tie-dye. This training session marked the first financial literacy program for PRB tenants in the western region, with further training sessions scheduled for tenants in Nadi and Lautoka in the coming months.
Maciu Katamotu Nalumisa, the Minister for Housing and Local Government, praised the participants and urged them to implement the lessons learned in their daily routines. “The training equips individuals with essential knowledge on business management, financial literacy, and market connections to foster entrepreneurial growth among micro, small, and medium enterprises, while also facilitating networking opportunities,” Nalumisa explained. He highlighted that the training included a variety of topics like marketing strategies, business culture, recordkeeping, cash flow management, and pricing.